As an airborne sergeant for the Army during the 1980s, Jose Lopez-Rivera’s duties were to train young recruits exactly how to securely repel out of a helicopter.
Training involves a rigorous and multi-phase procedure for those who are not faint of heart. For many that stand in the open door of an in-flight helicopter, it’s an eye-opening experience. As you look down for the first time repelling to the ground, you’re overcoming you very own fears.
Rivera assisted many to safely conquer the task. What was to become his last as well as final task, finished with misfortune. After he saw his whole staff repel to the ground, the helicopter briefly rose to a dangerous height. Seconds later on, Rivera landed to the ground with life-altering injuries.
He shattered his left leg and also fractured his back, as well as some stated that he might never gain back use his leg. It took 6 grueling months in an army rehab medical facility to walk again, however he was unable to go back to duty. He received medical disability, which meant he couldn’t work.
As an award-winning soldier, he had several medals that offered him distinction. He was just as happy to comply with in his father’s military career. When he came to realize that he could not live out his life in the armed forces due to injury, he counted on family for assistance. His own father built a whole career as a soldier and also Rivera’s heritage was hard to leave.
His saving grace was his wife as well as three children and also dedication to family members is extremely important to him. Rivera eventually moved to Florida to bring support to his aging mother. Being a father and also son brought him joy and life went on.
Rivera’s life was to take one more fall. Months ago, he lost his left leg and it’s an injury that he does not like to discuss.
He again had to summon the grit of a soldier and also learn exactly how to walk once more. Even with all he’s been through, he says he really feels privileged to find rehabilitation far more rewarding than he thought possible.
Rivera remembers his previous rehab in the military and says that today’s techniques are much better. “I am not treated like a rank and serial number, I am being given regard and also self-respect,” he says.
” These specialists are here to support me and also to guarantee that I am well prepared to get back on my feet,” says Rivera. He talks about being fitted with a temporary prosthesis and learning just how to walk on a specialized treadmill.
His Physical Therapist explains that Jose is using the AlterG treadmill for his rehabilitation. The AlterG is a device that can take away 80% of body weight and provide patients a much easier time with walking. The physical therapist says the treadmill is necessary due to the fact that it can make walking more comfortable, bring the patient self-confidence and speed up the healing process.
Geoff Fraser says, our therapists report that before the AlterG, patients had to gain walking confidence while using the parallel bars. That learning process can be tiresome for some patients. The AlterG gives them hope because they can get back to walking at a much faster rate than common treatment.
Using AlterG, “Patients can attain a reduced need for walking aids and also increase their number of steps on our treadmill.”
” Right now, we’re just ensuring that Jose is happy with his outcomes, getting stronger and also adapting to his therapy.”
Rivera is making good progress as an inpatient and is eagerly anticipating attaining his goals and also get back home to his family members.
” Our rehab family is proud to get Jose where he intends to be,” says Fraser.
Geoff Fraser is Partner at Clear Choice Health Care in Melbourne FL